I got banded last Friday. Feeling sooo much better now. I do have a pain question though, that I don't see mentioned here. My port is located right on/below my bra line in the center of my chest. I've been coughing up stuff from the annesthesia. Everytime I cough it feels like someone is stabbing me below my port. I have to stand up and push in with both hands to aleviate some of this sharp pain. If im sitting or laying down and cough, even if im holding it in.... I feel like my port is gonna fly out of my chest and hit the wall. Hiccuping and sneezing cause sharp sabbing, tearing pains as well. Getting out of bed is not fun. I have to use one hand to pull and one hand to push that "area" in. It just feels like its tearing, and will not heal with all the unintentional movement im causing it. All my incisions are fine, no pain at all. But this stabbing pain has presisted. Did any of you have this? How long does it take to be able to cough and cover your mouth, not stand up and hold your chest together?

I got banded last Friday. Feeling sooo much better now. I do have a pain question though, that I don't see mentioned here. My port is located right on/below my bra line in the center of my chest. I've been coughing up stuff from the annesthesia. Everytime I cough it feels like someone is stabbing me below my port. I have to stand up and push in with both hands to aleviate some of this sharp pain. If im sitting or laying down and cough, even if im holding it in.... I feel like my port is gonna fly out of my chest and hit the wall. Hiccuping and sneezing cause sharp sabbing, tearing pains as well. Getting out of bed is not fun. I have to use one hand to pull and one hand to push that "area" in. It just feels like its tearing, and will not heal with all the unintentional movement im causing it. All my incisions are fine, no pain at all. But this stabbing pain has presisted. Did any of you have this? How long does it take to be able to cough and cover your mouth, not stand up and hold your chest together?

Everyone heals differently but your pain is normal. For me, it took a couple weeks to be able to cough and sneeze without hurting. I usually have a pillow handy to hold up against my stomach/chest area when I cough or sneeze, that bit of pressure helps a little. Getting out of bed is also a task the first couple weeks, if someone is around, I ask for a hand, otherwise, I kinda roll out slowly.

Don't worry, it takes time to heal. Just have a pillow or folded up throw or something for your stomach area when you have to cough or sneeze. I am about 6 and a half weeks out and my port incision is finally healing up completely. If you have doubts, fears or concerns of your recovery, call your doctor and ask to see if what you're feeling is ok and see if there isn't something you can do or they can do to help you heal better!

Good luck and congrats with getting your band!